Pressing machine



April 30, 1963 E. DAVIS 3,087,658

PRESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 I3 I s:-

FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

ERNEST DAVIS BYZ ATTORNEY April 30, 1963 E. DAVIS PRESSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 3, 1959 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. liHh! ERNEST DAV|S ATTORNEY FIGS April 30, 1963 E. DAVIS 3,087,653

PRESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1959 's Shets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

ERNEST DAVIS F'IG.4 BY 2 ATTORNEY United States Patent O" This invention relates to pressing machines, and, more particularly, to a control for a pressing machine having more than one set of garment bucks and pressing heads.

Combination type machines have been developed during the trend to modernize garment finishing machinery in order to handle the increasing load of work with increased efliciency. Among such combination machines is the collar and cuff press for finishing the collars and cuffs of laundered shirts. Earlier concepts of this machine provided for the simultaneous movement of the separate collar and cod bucks from a loading postion to the pressing position. Such machines also had a control means which permitted the machine to perform pressing operations on the collar and cuffs of a shirt so that equal drying and pressing time was afforded for both the cuffs and the collar. This procedure has been found to be inefficient and disadvantageous for several reasons. One reason is that the collar of a shirt normally requires a longer drying time than the cuffs. Moreover, present day procedures call for the finishing of two shirts during one cycle, whereas fonner procedures called for the finishing of one shirt during a cycle. A machine of the above type does not have the required flexibility to handle the finishing of two shirts during a cycle. Even when one shirt is being finished at a time with the above machine, certain mechanical limitations of the machine preclude the proper handling of the garments finished thereon to effect a quality finish of the garment.

Accordingly, it is a main object of this invention to provide a control for a combination pressing machine whereby flexibility of operation is achieved.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a control for a combination pressing machine whereby each section of the machine is independently controlled from a single control center.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control for a combination machine providing for the finishing of different portions of a garment where each different portion requires a drying time of different duration.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cornbination pressing machine and a control therefor which is adapted for the quality finishing of portions of different garments simultaneously and independently.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification and in the accompanying drawings. 7

In carrying out the objects of this invention there is I provided a pressing machine having first and second pressing heads and garment bucks, and a control for the garment bucks comprising means for independently initiating the operation of the first garment buck and pressing head and the second garment buck and pressing head, and means for controlling the pressing operation performed on a garment on each garment buck.

In the drawings:

FIGURE L1 is an isometric view of a machine according to one embodiment of this invention, with parts cut away to illustrate certain features thereof.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of one embodiment of the control for the machine of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the machine, with parts cutaway to illustrate certain of the features of the machine.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic of the control for the machine.

3,087,658 Patented Apr. 30, 1963 FIGURE 5 is a view of the collar table assembly showing more clearly the buck mounting.

Referring to FIGURES -1 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a combination collar and culf pressing machine 10 having a cabinet 9 to house the various parts thereof. Disposed within the cabinet 9 is a first pressing head 33, or collar pressing head; and a second pressing head 48, or cuff pressing head. The cuff pressing head 48 may be formed as a dual head to accommodate the pair of cuff bucks, as will appear. In the embodiment shown, the pressing heads are stationarily mounted within the cabinet 9, but other modifications are entirely within the scope of this type of machine.

Two sets of tracks 17 and 18 are also mounted within the cabinet '9, extending from the front to the rear of the .shown as a dual cuff buck 12,- is similarly mounted as by a roller carriage 16 on the tracks 18 and is independently movable firom the loading position shown to a pressing position beneath the cuff pressing head 48. That is to say, the collar buck 11 and the cuff bucks 12 are movable independently of each other from and to a loading position and a pressing position. The collar buck 11 and cuif bucks 12 are of a conventional nature, being constructed with fabric pressing surfaces, these pressing surfaces being conventionally attached respectively by means of collar clamp 13 and cuff clamps 14. The bucks 11 and 12 and the pressing heads 33 and 48 may be heated as is conventional in the art. The machine 10 may also be provided with garment trays 31 and 32 which are mounted to the carriages 15 and 16 respectively. The trays 31 and 32 serve to support the portions of a garment which are not being pressed during the pressing operation of the collar and culfs of one or more shirts.

Means for moving the collar buck 11 from and to a loading position and a pressing position is provided in the form of a transfer cylinder 38 which may be mounted to v the frame of the machine within the cabinet 9. The upper I end of the cylinder 38 is connected to one end of a link 43. The link 43, which is pivotally mounted to the machine, has its other end connected to a lost motion link 44, which in turn, is connected to the roller carriage 15. When air under pressure is admitted into the cylinder 38, the piston rod end moves the link 43 about its pivot, transmitting motion through the lost motion link 44 to move the roller carriage 15, the tray 31, and the collar buck 1 1 from the loading position to the pressing position and conversely. An opening 19 in the cabinet 9 is provided for the movement of the collar buck 11 therethrough. A governor 42, which may be similar to the conventional check valve governor, is connected to the link 43 to control the speed of transfer of'the carriage 15 and the buck 11 into and out of pressing position. A return spring 45 is connected between the link 43 and the frame of the cabinet 9 to return the carriage 15 and buck 11 to the loading position when pressure is removed from the cylinder 38.

A second transfer cylinder 39 (FIGURE 4) is provided for the carriage 16, tray 32, and the collar bucks 12. The

cylinder 39 is connected through a linkage (not shown) similar to that described hereinabove for the carriage 15,

and operates in the same manner.

. A first pressing pressure means in the form of a power diaphragm 34 of conventional type is mounted within the cabinet 9 for causing pressing pressure to be applied to a collar on the buck 11. The power diaphragm is mounted by support 34A to frame or cabinet 9. When air pressure is admitted into the power diaphragm 34, the plunger 36 is forced upwardly to bear against and move a lever 47, which is mounted on the pivot P. It is understood that at this time, the carriage and buck 11 will be in the pressing position. That is to say, the buck 11 will be in position directly beneath the pressing head 33. At this time, a plunger 46 attached to the bottom of the buck 11 is then in position to be engaged by the lever 47 when said lever 47 is moved upwardly by the plunger 36. The buck 11 is mounted by any conventional means on the carriage 15 so as to be slidable upwardly and downwardly. Thus, when the plunger 36 lifts the lever 47 upwardly, the lever 47 bears against the end of th plunger 46, lifting the buck upwardly in the cabinet against the pressing head 33. In this manner, a pressing operation is performed on a collar dressed on the buck.

FIGURE 4 illustrates similar second pressuring pressure means in the form of power diaphragms 35 having plungers 37 which correspond to the plunger 36 of the first pressing pressure means. It will be understood that the second garment buck means is operated in the same manner as described hereinabove for the first garment buck. Since both structures are substantially alike, the above description will sufiice for both.

Inasmuch as the above described machine is provided with a first section and a second section operated independently of each other, and further due to the fact that one of the features of this invention is the provision of such a machine, a control for the machine will now be described; which control provides for the independent and automatic control of operation of the two sections from separate control centers.

FIGURE 4 schematically illustrates the control for the pressing machine according to one embodiment of this invention. It will become apparent that the control comprises two sections, a first section which appears to the viewers right, being for the collar section of the machine, and a second section which appears to the viewers left being for the cuff section of the machine.

Compressed air enters from the main air supply 50 through pipe 52 and a main needle valve 53 to the first and second main branch lines 55 and 56 respectively for the collar section and the cuff section of the control. Each branch line 55 and 56 is provided with a needle valve 57 for controlling the pressure in the branch lines. The branch line 55 is connected to the collar transfer solenoid valve 28, and the branch line 56 is connected to the cufi transfer solenoid valve 29. Each valve 28 and 29 is normally closed, whereby air under pressure stands against these valves. A branch line 54 transmits compressed air from the main line 52 to stand against a normally closed master valve 40 for the power diaphragm 34 of the collar section; and branch line 51 transmits air from the main line 52 to the master valve 41 for the power diaphragms '35 for the cuff section.

The outlet of valve 28 transmits air through line 58 to the transfer cylinder 38; and the outlet of valve 29 transmits air through line 59 to the transfer cylinder 39. Branch line 60 is also connected to the outlet of valve 28, to supply air to the inlet of valve 66, the outlet of which supplies air through line 62 to operate the master valve 40 for operating the power diaphragm 34 of the collar section. Similarly, branch line 61 is also connected to the outlet of valve 29 to supply air to the inlet of normally closed solenoid valve 67, the outlet of which supplies air through line 63 to operate the master valve 41 for operating the power diaphragms 35 for the cuff section.

The remainder of the control for this embodiment of the invention comprises an electrical circuit for each section of the machine which includes a two-hand control, relay, timer, micro-switch, and a release switch.

For the collar section, the two-hand control 21, which is conventional, is connected to a source S of electrical current, and is also connected to one side of a relay R1. The solenoids S28 and S66 for valves 28 and 66 are connected in series with a normally open micro-switch S1,

and one side of this circuit is connected to the source S, while the other side is connected to the two-hand control 21. The timer 26 is connected to source S for current with which to operate, and is also connected operatively to the relay R1. A normally closed release switch 23 is connected to the timer 26 for halting the operation of the control at any time at the will of the operator.

For the cuff section, the control is identical with the control described above for the collar section. The twohand control 22 is connected to the source S and is also connected to one side of a relay R2. The solenoids S29 and S67 for valves 29 and 67 are connected in series with a normally open micro-switch S2, and one side of this circuit is connected to the source S, while the other side is connected to the two-hand control 22. The timer 27 is connected to source S for operating current, and is also connected operatively to the relay R2. A normally closed release switch 24 is connected to the timer 27 for halting the operation of the control at any time at the will of the operator.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a suitable layout for a control assembly 25 such as described hereinabove. The timers 26 and 27 may be conventional electronic timers which provide for the controlled supply of current from a source over an adjustable period of time. A terminal board 30 may be provided to facilitate the connection of wires leading from the two-hand controls 21 and 22- and the release switches 23 and 24. The two-hand controls and the release switches may be conveniently mounted on the cabinet 9 as is shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.

Operation In describing the operation of this invention, it will be assumed that all operational adjustments have been made, and that the machine has completed a cycle of operation and is thus ready to begin a new cycle of operation.

The operator dresses the collar (not shown) of a first garment on the collar buck 11. The remainder of the garment is disposed on the garment supporting tray 31 during the operation. The operator then depresses the two-hand control 21, passing current from the source S through wire 70 to the solenoid S28, opening the air valve 28 which in turn allows air under pressure to flow through line 58 to the transfer cylinder 38. This causes the carriage 15 and buck 11 to be moved from a loading position at the front of the cabinet 9 to a pressing position as described. Current also flows through wire 72 to one side of the micro-switch S1. When the carriage 15 reaches the pressing position, it contacts the micro-switch S1, closing said switch to supply current through wire 74 to one side of the solenoid S66 of valve 66, thus opening the valve 66 and allowing air under pressure to flow through line 62 to operate the master valve 40. The master valve 40 thus admits air under pressure into line 64 to the power diaphragm 34 for the operation of the plunger 36, lever 47 and plunger 46 to move the buck 11 against the pressing head 33 with pressing pressure. This allows the operator to move her hands from the two-hand control 21, since all of the above occurs in rapid sequence, requiring a minimum of time. Upon the actuation of solenoid S28 and valve 28, current also flows through wire 78 to one side of the relay R1, actuating same and passing current to the timer 26. The timer 26 completes the closed circuit for the duration of the predetermined time setting thereof, at the end of which time the self-release of the timer 26 shuts off the current to line 78 and lines 72 and 74, and thus to the solenoid S66. At this time, valve 66 closes, permitting the air to exhaust from the master valve 40 and the power diaphragm 34, whereby the collar buck 11 is released from contact with the pressing head 33. Valve 28 releases at the same time as valve 66, exhausting the air from the transfer cylinder 38, permitting the spring 45 to return the carriage 15 and the buck 11 is in contact with the pressing head 33. It will be understood that the operator places a shirt collar in place on the buck 11, operates the two-hand control 21, and the collar and buck are transferred automatically into the pressing position, pressed, and are returned to the loading position. Should the operator desire to interrupt the pressing operation at any time following its initiation, it is only required that she depress the release switch 23 to shut oif the current to the line 78 and the solenoids S66 and S28. The timer 26 then ceases to operate the control, and the carriage 15 and buck 11 return to the loading position as above.

It will be understood that a shirt collar normally re quires a longer drying time than the cuffs in order to impart a proper finish thereto. It is also understood that less time is required to dress the collar on the buck 11 than is required to dress the two culfs of a shirt on the bucks 12. Thus it is that when the operator has initiated the automatic pressing operation for the relatively longer collar pressing cycle and has removed her hands from the two-hand control 21; she then dresses the two cuffs of a shirt on the cuff bucks 12. She then depresses the twohand control 22, passing current from the source S through the wire 71 to the solenoid S29, opening the air valve 29 which in turn allows air under pressure to flow through the line 59 to the transfer cylinder 39. This causes the carriage 16 and bucks 12 to move through the opening 20 in the cabinet 9 to the pressing position underneath the pressing head 48 as described. Current also flows through wire 73 to one side of the micro-switch S2. When the carriage 16 reaches the pressing position, it contacts the microswitch S2, closing said switch to supply current through wire 75 to one side of the solenoid S67, opening valve 67 and allowing air under pressure to flow through line 63 to operate the master valve 41, which thence admits air under pressure into line 65 to the power diaphragms 35 to operate the said power diaphragms. This allows the operator to move her hands from the two-hand control 22, since all of the above occurs in rapid sequence. Upon the actuation of solenoid S29 and valve 29, current also flows through wire 79 to one side of the relay R2, actuating same and passing current to the timer 27. The timer 27 completes the closed circuit for the duration of the predetermined time setting thereof, at the end of which time the self-release of the timer 27 shuts oif the current to line 79 and lines 73 and 75, and thus to the solenoid S67. At this time, valve 67 closes, permitting air to exhaust from the master valve 41 and the power diaphragms 35, whereby the cult bucks 12 are released from contact with the pressing head 48. Valve 29 releases at the same time as valve 67, exhausting the air from the transfer cylinder 39, permitting a spring, similar to return spring 45 of collar pressing mechanism, to return the carriage 16 and the bucks 12 to the loading position. All of the above occurs in rapid sequence, within the limits of the timed period that the bucks 12 are in contact with the pressing head 48. It will be understood that the operator places a pair of cuffs in place on the bucks 12, operates the two-hand control 22, and the cuffs and bucks are transferred automatically into the pressing position, pressed, and are returned to the loading position. Should the operator desire to interrupt the pressing operation at any time following its initiation, it is only required that she depress the release switch 24 to shut off the current to the line 79 and the solenoids S67 and S29. The timer 27 then ceases to operate the control, and the carriage 16 and the bucks 12 return to the loading posi tion.

It will become obvious that the above control permits the operator to process two separate garments at the same time. While the collar of a first garment is being pressed, the operator dresses the ends of a second garment on the cuff bucks and initiates the pressing of said cuffs. When the collar of the first garment is pressed, the operator removes the first garment from the machine and the garment is ready for the next operation on a separate machine. At this time, the cuffs of the second r 6 y garment are finished and the operator removes them from the cuif section. She then places the collar of the second garment on the collar 'buck and initiates the pressing of said collar. The cuff section is then ready to press the cuffs of a third garment, etc.

A high rate of production is thus achieved with a minimum of operator skill due to the unique control and the timing of the pressing operations of the machine.

It is to be understood that the embodiment shown and described is for the purpose of illustration, and that the invention is to be construed only as fairly falls within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pressing machine having collar and wit pressing heads, and collar and cuff bucks movable independently of each other from a loading position to a pressing position respectively to said pressing heads; and a control for movements of said bucks; said control comprising first and second power means for moving said bucks independently of each other from said loading position to a pressing position, first and second pressure means for applying pressing pressure to a collar and cuifs on said bucks, and

first and second means for initiating the operation of said power means and said pressing pressure means.

2. A garment press comprising a collar buck and cufi buck, a first pressing head and a second pressing head respectively for said bucks, first and second transfer means for transferring said collar and cuif bucks independently of each other from a loading position to a pressing position, first and second pressing pressure means for the application of pressing pressure to a collar and ouifs of a garment on said bucks, and a single control for said bucks and said means; said control comprising means for independently actuating said first and second transfer means and automatic means for actuating said first and second pressing pressure means, said automatic means operating in response to the operation of said first means.

3. A garment press comprising a collar buck and a collar pressing head and a set of cuif bucks and a set of cuff pressing heads, said collar buck and said cuif bucks independently movable from a loading position to a pressing position and dual control means to move said collar buck and said cuff bucks from a loading position to a pressing position, automatic means for retaining the bucks in pressing position, means for applying pressing pressure to said bucks and automatic means for releasing the bucks, said releasing being timed to occur either simultaneously or alternately.

4. A collar and cuff pressing machine comprising a collar buck and a collar pressing head, cuff bucks and cuff pressing heads, said collar buck and said cuff bucks mounted to move from a loading position to a pressing position, dual power operating means to move said bucks into and out of said pressing position with said pressing heads, dual power units to apply pressing pressure between said bucks and said pressing heads, said dual power operating means operating independently of each other and dual releasing means to release said bucks from said pressing position, said dual releasing means operating independently of each other and of the said dual power operating means.

5. A pressing machine comprising a collar buck and pressing head and cuif bucks and pressing heads, said collar and cuff bucks movable from a loading position to a pressing position, power means to move said bucks into and out of said pressing position with said pressing heads, power units to apply pressing pressure between said bucks and said pressing heads, said power means adapted to operate independently for said collar buck and said cufi bucks, said power units also operating independently of each other for said collar buck and said cuff bucks and means to release said bucks from said pressing position, said releasing means also operating independently of each other and of said power means; aforesaid pressing machine 7 8 being therefore adapted to press the collar and cuffs of 2,013,754 Hanney Sept. 10, 1935 two shirts simultaneously. 2,124,898 Shepard July 26, 1938 2,261,431 Braun Nov. 4, 1941 References Cited in the file of this patent 2 5 24 h Oct 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,703,939 Clarke Mar. 15, 1955 1,896,517 Johnson Feb. 7, 1933 1,938,883 Winnewisser Dec. 12, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS 940 4; Davis 19 1933 447,585 Great Britain May 1, 1 

1. A PRESSING MACHINE HAVING COLLAR AND CUFF PRESSING HEADS, AND COLLAR AND CUFF BUCKS MOVABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER FROM A LOADING POSITION TO A PRESSING POSITION RESPECTIVELY TO SAID PRESSING HEADS; AND A CONTROL FOR MOVEMENTS OF SAID BUCKS; SAID CONTROL COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND POWER MEANS FOR MOVING SAID BUCKS INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER FROM SAID LOADING POSITION TO A PRESSING POSITION, FIRST AND SECOND PRESSURE MEANS FOR APPLYING PRESSING PRESSURE TO A COLLAR AND CUFFS ON SAID BUCKS, AND FIRST AND SECOND MEANS FOR INITIATING THE OPERATION OF SAID POWER MEANS AND SAID PRESSING PRESSURE MEANS. 